You like what is original and you want to find unusual activities to do in Marseille? I selected the most unusual and fun activities to do in Marseille with your family, friends or even by yourself.
Table of Contents
Atypical Activities
Find below my selection of fun and atypical activities in which to spend unique moments.
1- Outdoor escape game (with Android smartphones)
Discover the city of Marseille during a two-hour treasure hunt that takes place entirely on a smartphone app (only with android phones, no guide is on-site).
You will be able to choose between different scenarios for your game:
- Sherlock Holmes to solve a murder
- Bank robbers to carry out a robbery
- Bounty hunters for the more sports-oriented ones
- an urban Escape game to find a hostage
This interactive and fun game allows you to mix reality and virtuality for a quite unique experience.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
2- Initiation to lightsaber battle
Star Wars enthusiasts, it’s time to prove that you are a real Jedi.
In this workshop, you will learn how to master the lightsaber with a certified French Fencing Federation instructor. This very unusual sport can be practiced by adults and children alike.
Once you’ve mastered the lightsaber, you will be able to perform choreographies or duels.
This activity takes place in Aix-en-Provence, at about a 40-minute drive from Marseille. You will need to provide your own means of transport to get there.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
3- Quiz Room
The Quiz Room introduces a new concept: playing quizzes in a TV-set themed room with friends or colleagues.
Test your knowledge in the three rounds of a game and try to trap your opponents. The rules of the game change with each round and you are allowed to play two rounds.
The quiz questions cover a wide range of topics: sport, society, everyday life, music, cinema and TV series, as well as art, history and geography.
You do not need to have much general knowledge to play, because the questions are very accessible.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
4- Survival experience in the nature
Learn the basics of survival during this activity: learn how to make a fire, how to build a shelter etc.
Go on a two-day group trip with your instructor, bivouac in the wilderness and hike.
Equipment is not provided, so you will need to bring warm clothes, a sleeping bag, a backpack, rain and hiking gear, a garbage bag, a headlamp, a knife, a water bottle, a mess tin and cutlery.
This activity takes place in Ollières, at about a one-hour drive from Marseille. Please provide your own means of transport to get there.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
5- Indoor horror themed escape game
Horror comes to Marseille with this escape game. Go through a horror labyrinth with special effects, actors, immersive settings and try to survive.
Perfect for horror and paranormal enthusiasts. Wear an outfit that you are willing to get dirty.
Booking and further information
6- Stroll – Discover the organized crime history of the city with the Marseille Gangster Tour
Relive the organized crime history of the city through a guided stroll. You will be shown photos and newspaper extracts to rely on.
Visit the places that marked this period of organized crime and go to places that were not frequented at that time due to their reputation.
There are two walks to choose from: the first concerning the 1850-1950 period in Le Panier district and the second concerning the 1950-2000 period around the old port.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
7- Free-diving on the Provençal coast
Explore marine life (fauna and flora) in the less tourist-oriented Endoume district of Marseille. Visit the caves and discover the wonders of the sea during a free-diving trip with a snorkel and flippers.
A guide will lead you and help you with your dive. The required equipment is included in the price as well as a snack during the breaks.
Booking and further information
8- Kayaking in the rocky inlets (Marseille Calanques)
Discover rocky inlets on a kayaking trip in Marseille. Go on an adventure with a guide who will tell you the history of the area (commentaries in French, English or Spanish).
The trip will allow you to see Maïre Island or the islands of the Riou Archipelago. This activity is not suitable for children under 6 and for people who cannot swim and/or have heart problems.
Booking and further information
9 – Rent a boat with Click & Boat
There is nothing better than renting a boat to discover the surroundings of Marseille.
Thanks to Click & Boat, you can rent many boats, with or without skipper, and many different models are available.
If you want a skipper, I recommend: Clotilde. She will offer you to discover the Marseille harbor aboard her 4-seater sailboat. Passionate and professional, she will happily teach you the basics of navigation, and can optionally cook a meal.
If you don’t want a skipper, and have a boating license, many motor boats are available. I recommend this fully equipped Quicksilver boat that can accommodate up to 7 people on board. This boat guarantees you your autonomy.
Please note that the vast majority of owners require a boat license to let you drive their boats.
With or without a captain, the Château d’Isle and the Friuli archipelago are yours!
10- Bubble football
What is bubble football? It’s a normal soccer game… except that you are enclosed in a human-sized bubble. You will be more limited in your movements but as the shocks will be cushioned, do not hesitate to push your opponents to get the ball.
This activity takes place in Carnoux, at a 25-minute drive from Marseille. Please provide your own means of transport to get there.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
11- Indoor horror/supernatural themed escape game
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Game Over offers you the opportunity to participate in one of these horror or supernatural themed puzzles. Choose your room and put your skills to the test in this more real than life escape game with its immersive decor.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
12- A320 aircraft flight simulator
If you’ve always dreamt of flying a plane, this activity is for you. Take part in an A320 aircraft simulator with an instructor and learn how to take off and land as well as other maneuvers that every pilot needs to know.
Several formulas are available to extend your simulation time.
This activity takes place in Aix-en-Provence, at about a 40-minute drive from Marseille. Please provide your own means of transport to get there.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
Original Visits
You have already visited the most famous landmarks and wish to get on another level? Find my selection of original visits that will make you discover a little more the beautiful city of Marseille below.
13- Trip in a minibus from Marseille to Cassis and cruise in the rocky inlets
This half-day trip will take you from Marseille to Cassis and optionally (at extra cost) to the three rocky inlets of the region, often called the “fjords of the Côte d’Azur”.
Get into a minivan in a small group in Marseille and drive to Cassis. Enjoy the commentaries of the guide (in French only). Go down to the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica to take pictures of the amazing view.
Take a break at Cap Canaille, a 360-meter high sea cliff, and admire the view over the bay and the Gardiole mountains.
Visit the streets of the old fishing village of Cassis. This charming town is famous for its white and rosé wines and for its Provençal architecture. You can embark on a 45-minute cruise to discover the region’s famous rocky inlets (for an additional cost).
Return to Marseille in the minivan for a historical tour of the city (again, in the minivan). You will see the most emblematic places of the town: the Saint-Victor abbey, the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, the château d’If, etc.
Booking and further information
14- Private cultural and gourmet tour of Marseille
This half-day walking tour takes you to the lesser-known corners of the city and into Le Panier, Marseille’s oldest district.
Enjoy the commentaries of your guide (in English) and participate in workshops with local artisans. Discover the city’s traditions such as pétanque, a popular sport in Provence, and panisse, a small fritter made from chickpea flour.
Have an aperitif at an inhabitant’s house and taste regional wines and cheeses, breads, panisse and the famous pastis.
Booking and further information
15- Sailing boat trip in the rocky inlets
Meet the captain at the old port of Marseille for a boat trip on a fully restored sail boat towards the rocky inlets.
During this trip, which takes place from 10 am to 5 pm, you will have the opportunity to admire the magnificent landscapes of the coast and to swim or even dive, as masks and snorkels are at your disposal.
Travel with a pleasant professional crew and have lunch on board (fresh organic buffet, regular drinks or alcoholic ones and snacks included in the price).
Booking and further information
16- Trip in the lavender fields (Aix-En-Provence)
This trip from Marseille takes you to Aix-en-Provence to discover a unique and beautiful landscape: the lavender fields. Typical of Provence, they are a must-see.
This small-group tour also includes a visit to the markets of the town of Aix-en-Provence and the town of Valensole. Thanks to the stop on the Valensole plateau, you can see lavenders as far as the eye can see. These are used to make the famous Marseille soap.
The lavenders are in flower in mid-June to mid-July, so I recommend you to go at this time of year. The tour includes transport in an air-conditioned minibus and a local guide (commentaries available in French, English or Spanish).
Booking and further information
17- Visit the Fer à Cheval soap factory
What would Marseille be without its famous soap? Visit the oldest soap factory in the city (founded in 1856) and discover the secrets of the soap’s manufacture, composition and history.
Do not hesitate to visit the factory’s shop and take home an artisanal bar of soap for yourself or for your loved ones.
Booking and further information
Unusual Transports
You do not really want to walk in the city but still want to see more of it? Find below some original means of transport to try.
18- Discover the town on a Segway
Discover, in a small group, Marseille on a Segway, an electric vehicle on which you stand.
Less tiring than a walking visit, this visit will allow you to see an amazing panoramic view of the city from the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. You will also see many famous places such as the Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée, the La Major cathedral and Le Panier district.
A guide will lead you through the city for a 2-hour stroll and will comment on it (in French or English).
Booking and further information (website in French only)
19- Discover the town on an electric bike
Take advantage of a sunny afternoon to stroll in the city on an electric bike. Led by a guide, this 12-kilometre stroll is commented on in French and in English.
Admire the exceptional view on the sea and take a breath of air. You will see the Palais du Phare, the Notre-Dame de la Garde cathedral, the Vallon des Auffes and even the Saint-Victor abbey.
Booking and further information
20- Discover the town in a mini convertible
You are not dreaming: you can visit the city in a colorful mini convertible.
This miniature car has an interactive GPS system to guide you during your ride (it also acts as an audio guide; available in French, English, Spanish and Italian).
This is a very pleasant three-hour ride to enjoy on a sunny day and, above all, a very original one. The mini car can accommodate up to two people.
You need a driving license to ride the mini-cars which are driven like regular cars and can reach up to 50 km/h.
Booking and further information
Quirky Workshops
Participate in one of these supervised workshops to discover the Provençal culture.
21- Pastis making workshop
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Discover how pastis is made, a Provençal alcoholic drink, and make your own bottle. Many aromas are at your disposal. Guillaume, the distiller will help and guide you through the process.
Become a pastis expert and go home with the drink you made.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
22- Oenology course and wine tasting
Become a real wine connoisseur with this workshop. You will learn everything there is to know about wine, including how to store and enjoy it.
You will taste seven different wines to practice your new skills.
Booking and further information (website in French only)
23- Tasting of local pastries and chocolates and visit in Le Panier district
During this visit of Le Panier, the oldest district of Marseille, you will have the opportunity to discover the city’s culture as well as its delicacies.
You will taste traditional French and Provençal pastries in a friendly atmosphere and gain insight from the commentaries of a guide (in French, English or Spanish).
You will learn more about chocolate making, including local chocolates made with olive oil. You will taste navettes, Marseille biscuits which were originally made with orange blossom but are now available in many different flavors.
Booking and further information
Unusual Restaurants
If you want your meal to be uncommon as well, you should try one of the restaurants below.
24- Teavora, eat with your feet in the sand
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Yes, you saw it in the title: in this restaurant/tea room, the floor is entirely covered with sand. A true indoor beach.
You can sit barefoot on the Middle-East-inspired cushions on the floor to have some tea or eat. A complete change of scenery in the city center is guaranteed.
Website: https://www.teavora.com/ (in French only)
25- La Siest’In
You want to find a place to have lunch and rest before you start your afternoon? At La Siest’in, you can eat and… sleep on site. Yes, sleep.
There are individual cabins where you can rest peacefully on a deckchair, mattress or even a hammock. A little piece of heaven just for you.
The menu changes every day except for the pasta, quiches and desserts, which are available on the menu every day.
Website: https://lasiestin.com/ (in French only)
26- Dinner cruise on a catamaran
Embark at the Marseille port at 6.30 pm for a dinner cruise on a catamaran.
Enjoy the sunset during this sea trip and dine on a secluded cove in a festive and friendly atmosphere. This dinner is suitable for couples as well as for families, colleagues and friends.
Swimming is possible so do not forget your swimsuit. You will return to the port at 9.30 pm.
Booking and further information
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
